Detachable supporting stand



' July 3, 1928.

H. c. COLEMAN DETACHABLE surron'rme STAND Filed Dec. '7, 1923 I Patented July 3; i928.

UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.-

EARRIS C. COLEMAN, OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

' DETAGHAIBLE sorr'oa'rme srann.

Application filed December 7, 192:. Serial No. 679,186.

This invention relates to a stand adapted for various purposes, which stand is capable of being readily attached to an upright support such as'a vertical edge of an automobile door or the like.

In its broad aspect, the invention com prises a supporting stand which may be quickly and readily attached to supporting uprights which vary in thickness within predetermined limits. The invention is especially adaptable to supporting stands for dispensing trays for soda water fountains, which stands are so constructed as to be detachably supported on the upper edge of the door of an automobile or the like.

The minor details of the invention comrise the construction of the stand so that it is adaptedto support trays of different dimensions; to. clamp such trays in position on the stand, and to provide means for clamping the stand itself to trays of differ ent thic ness, such clamping means so that it will fold compactly into the supporting surface when the stand is not in use.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from :a perusal of the ,followin device is il specification, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective yiew of the device with the tray clamped 1n serving position' Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view;

Fig. 3 is a view of the detached support in automobi-lists by. the dispensers on trays, and

no proper means has been heretofore provided for supporting these trays in the auto mobile while the beverages are being drunk- In the specific embodiment of the inven tion, the, stand comprises three. parallel strips of metal 1, 2;and 3 rigidly united byand in addition, to construct.

transverse strips 4 and 5, suitably joined to the parallel strips as by soldering, spot welding or by rivets. At one end, each one TO TRAY SERVICE COMPANY, 01 DALLAS, TEXAS, A CORPORATION.

of the outer strips is provided with a curled up portion 6 to provide a stationary clamping jaw. The respective clamping jaws of these outer strips are arranged at one end of the stand and. in the same plane. The intermediate parallel strip 2 is formed as a channel beam so as to provide an inner guideway in which telescopingly slides a clamping member 7 having an upwardly c urled end 8 opposed to the curled portions ofthe clamping strip 7 is provided with a suitable stop in order to limit the outward movement of this member in the channel strip 2. By means of this construction, the

intermediate clamp can be moved toward and from the clam ing jaw 6 so as to accommodate trays 0 different size.

Means is provided for attaching the stand to any convenient upright su rt. The most practical support is the si e door of the automobile. The stand is adapted to be slipped over the side door and to be supported therefrom so as to hold the tray of the outer strips 1 and 3. The under side on the stand in substantially horizontal position. A simple form of fastening means is shown as comprising 'two depending feet or fingers 9 and 10, each one of whichis fastened preferably to the end of an outer strip.- In its particular form, each foot comprises a sheet metal strip having the ears 11 thereof bent upwardly to form bearings for a pivot pin 12 passing through a lug or a hole 13 111 the outer strip- The foot being thus pivoted to the strip,- the end thereof nearest the pivotal point will contact with the curved up-turned ortion to limit the upward swing of the oot awa fromthe under surface of the strip an thus hold the foot in a definite depending position. As illustrated', this construction and pivotal mounting of the foot permits it to swing upwardly into a position parallel or sub stantially parallel with the fiat outer strip. Cooperating with these two outer feet is an intermediate foot 14 which is adjustably supported on the intermediate strip 2- so that when moved away from the depending pair of feet 9, the stand can be slipped over the edge of'the upstanding door and the intermediate foot moved along the intermediate :strip to firmly clamp the stand against the .the end, are provided with a door in horizontal position. This intermediate foot is constructed like the feet 9 and 10, except that it is considerably longer. It is provided with folded ears 15, which at ivot in 16 which passes over the interme iate c iannel strip 2, thereby locking the intermediate foot 14 loosel on the intermediate strip. In other wor s, the pivot pin 16 and the end 17 of the foot form a guideway through which the intermediate strip 2 passes, and this end 17, in connection with the pivot pin limits the downward depending movement of this intermediate foot, while at the same time, permits it to slide alon freely on the intermediate strip. In addition, this construction enables the intermediate foot to be folded upwardly into flat contacting position against the under side of the inter-' mediate strip, so that when the stand is not in use, it will lie flat, the intermediate foot and two outer feet folding up flat against the under surface of the outer and intermediate strips. This facilitates compact packing and storage of these devices.

The under surfaces of the strips are preferably provided with lugs 18, 19, 20 and 21,

uponwhich the stand ma rest, so that all strain is removed from t e folded feet by the weight of the stand resting on these lu These lugs may be provided with ru ber surfaces to prevent-scratching, and in addition thereto, the feet may be rovided with rubber facings to prevent t em scratching or marring the door or other supporting surface.

It is obvious that minor changes in the details of construction and the arrangement of the parts may be made without depart ing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A serving tray for automobiles and the like comprising two interconnected substantially parallel supports, each having a-corresponding end curled upwardly to form one member of a tra clamp, an intermediate support having its end curled in opposition to the first-mentioned curled ends to'form the supplementary tray clamping member,

a pair of feet, each being pivoted to and depending from' the end of each support and arranged to fold substantiallyv fiat to the underside of said support, and a central foot hingedly connected to said intermediate member and depending downwardly in spaced relation to said pair of feet whereby to receive therebetween the upstanding edge of an automobile door or other support, said central foot also being arranged tofold substantially flat to the underside of said support.

2. A serving tray for automobiles and the like comprising parallel supports forming a tray support, means to attach member to permit the adjustment of said curled end relatively said outer members.

3. A serving tray for automobiles and the like comprising a substantially flat support, rom

to the curled ends of relatively short lugs or feet depending the under surface of said support upon which said support is adapted to rest on a flat surface, a plurality of depending fingers connected to said support and adapted to receive and clamp therebetween the upper vertical ed e of the automobile door or the like where y to hold said flat support in a substantial horizontal position, and means for permitting said fingers to be folded substantially fiat to the under surface of said support and within the plane of the bottom ends of said feet when not intended for use yvhereby said fiat support can rest upon said ugs. v

4. A device of the character described comprising a support, a plurality of fingers, means forming a pivotal connection between each finger and said support to permit said fingers ,to depend therefrom, said means having a portion adapted to abut said support I to clamp the fingers in desired position and being constructed and arranged to permit said fingers to fold snugly to the underside of said support, at least one of said means forming a freely slidable connection with said support whereby to permit the corresponding finger to be clamped in any slida le position of adjustment.-

5. A device of the class described comprising a support, a plurality of fingers adapted to up an upright to maintain said support in orizontal position, means pivotally connecting said fingers to saidsupport,

said'pivotal connection permitting said fingers to swing freely in one direction to fold snugly. against the underside of said support and said pivotal connection bein constructed and arranged to prevent the fingers from swinging beyond a predetermined are in the reverse direction, one of said pivotal connections being shiftable relatively to the remainder to permit'the clamping adjustment of said fingers.

6. A serving tray "for automobiles and the like comprising members forming a su porting plat orm, a'plurality of fingers apted clampingly to engage an upright, the fingers having spaced ears at their upper ends and a pivotal pin passing therethrough to en- 3 gage said members and form a pivotal connection between the finger and a member, the upper end of each finger between said ears forming an abutment to contact the member and prevent swinging movementof said finger beyond a predetermined are.

7. A serving tray for automobiles and the like, comprising members forming a supporting platform, a plurality of fingers adapted clampingly toengage an upright, each finger having spaced ears at its upper end and a pivotal pin passing therethrough to engage a member whereby to form a pivotal connection, the upper end of eachfinger between said ears forming an abutment to engage the underside of the member to prevent swinging movement of the finger in one direction beyond a predetermined arc,

atleast one of the fingers having its pivotal slidable therealong to permit the clamping adjustment of said finger.

8. A serving tray for automobiles and the like comprising three parallel interconnected metal strips forming a flat support, each of said strips having an outer end formed with an upturned portion to engage the side of a tray, means permitting one of said strips to shift endwise relatively to the others to adjust the distance between said'upturned ends, a plurality of sheet metal fingers having their upper ends folded to provide,

spaced ears and an intermediate abutment at the end of the finger between said ears, each finger having a pivotal pin passing through said ears and engaging a metal strip.

In testimony whereof, I aflix mi I s HARRIS C. CG

si ature. E AN. 

